Side-Swing Oven Door Latch for Sealing With Low Closing Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional home cooking appliances with side swing doors face challenges in securing the door effectively due to space limitations and interference with adjacent cabinetry, requiring specialized latch mechanisms that provide sufficient closing force, tactile feedback, and alignment correction while avoiding noise and complexity.
Innovation Solution
A self-capturing latch mechanism with a stationary hook and receiver, mounted on opposing surfaces, provides a variable closing force that increases from an initial engagement to a secure seal, allowing easy operation and alignment correction, and includes a spring-loaded mechanism for quick release and noise reduction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a side swing door is used to provide greater access to the cooking cavity, then ease of operation is improved, but the door may interfere with adjacent cabinetry or appliances
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism acts as an intermediary element between the door and the housing, providing a controlled connection point that allows the door to swing laterally for improved access while preventing uncontrolled movement that would interfere with adjacent cabinetry. The latch receiver and hook create a defined engagement point that mediates the door's motion.
2Ease of manufacture
If conventional hinges are used to secure the side swing door, then the door can be attached to the housing, but the limited space on the appliance housing restricts the types of hinges that can be used
Solution Approach 1:
The latch function is extracted from the hinge assembly, separating the attachment function from the closing force function. The receiver is mounted on the housing and the hook on the door, creating a dedicated latching system that is independent of the hinge mechanism. This allows the use of simple, space-efficient hinges while maintaining secure door closure.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism serves as an intermediary between the door and housing, providing a specialized connection solution that does not require complex hinges. The receiver-hook interface creates a dedicated attachment point that simplifies the hinge requirements while ensuring proper door securing.
3Reliability
If an external part is added to keep the side swing door closed, then the door can be secured, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism is integrated into the door assembly, with the receiver mounted on the door and the hook on the housing (or vice versa). This merging of the latching function into the door structure eliminates the need for separate external securing parts, reducing overall device complexity while maintaining reliable door securing.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch mechanism is designed to automatically engage when the door is closed, with the hook and receiver self-aligning and self-latching. The spring-loaded receiver provides automatic engagement force, and the cam surface ensures proper alignment, allowing the system to secure itself without additional actuators or complex control mechanisms.
4Reliability
If a latch mechanism provides sufficient closing force to seal the door, then the door seal is maintained, but the operational force required may be too high
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism uses a spring-loaded receiver that dynamically adjusts the closing force. During door closure, the spring compresses and stores energy, then releases it to provide the necessary sealing force once engaged. This dynamic action allows easy door closing while ensuring sufficient sealing force is applied when the door is latched.
Solution Approach 2:
The latch engagement occurs in distinct phases: initial contact, engagement, and sealing. The spring-loaded mechanism provides periodic force application - a initial push to engage the hook, followed by a second phase where the spring compresses and releases to provide the sealing force. This periodic action separates the operational force requirement from the sealing force requirement.
5Device complexity
If the latch mechanism is simple in design, then the device complexity is reduced, but tactile feedback during operation may be insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The latch mechanism incorporates a cam surface that creates a tactile click or vibration sensation during engagement. As the door closes and the hook engages with the receiver, the cam surface provides a mechanical feedback signal that the user can feel, confirming proper latching without requiring complex sensors or indicators.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution ensures a secure and efficient door seal with low operational force, self-alignment, and reduced noise, enhancing user experience and appliance functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The receiver can include a spring loaded latching mechanism actuated by contact with the part of the stationary hook received in the receiver, wherein the actuated spring loaded latching mechanism draws the part of the stationary hook into the receiver with a force that increases from a first predetermined closing force to a predetermined second closing force
Data Source
AI summary
A home cooking appliance with a side swing door is provided. The home cooking appliance includes a self capturing latch mechanism that secures and seals the side swing door in the closed position, the self capturing latch mechanism including a stationary hook and a receiver that receives and draws part of the stationary hook into a secured position within the receiver when the side swing door is moved into the closed position to secure the side swing door in the closed position. The receiver provides a variable closing force that varies from a first closing force at an initial engagement of the receiver with the part of the stationary hook to a predetermined second closing force, which is greater than the first closing force, at a completed engagement of the receiver with the part of the stationary hook to seal the side swing door in the closed position.